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Richard Piatt ReportingLate this afternoon, Utah lawmakers got the news they've been waiting for, the latest budget numbers. Even with the good news, those numbers have the potential to spark a series of battles.
A fight over money is nothing new at the Capitol, but this year, in addition to education funding, money for roads, and health care for the poor, there is more. Cutting the sales tax on food, lowering your income tax---all this is at stake, and there is not agreement about any of it.
First, the numbers. The good news is the economy is doing well. There is a total of 132 million dollars more than the 1-billion dollars extra we already know about. The caveat is that's a mix of money that's only available this year, and on-going money.
So what does this mean? It means a potential battle over priorities. Leaders in the House and the Governor do not agree with the Senate over the size and form of tax cuts--especially the idea of removing the sales tax off food.
Sen. John Valentine, Senate President: "This is not as much as is needed to do it all. So we're going to have to get together and prioritize the needs of the state."
That could take a front seat over other battles, including one unfolding today regarding gay-straight clubs in high schools.
